Early this May, the Daura Museum of Art will be full of an unprecedented amount of student work — so much that the entire museum space will be utilized for the Senior Art Thesis Exhibition.
For Brooke Marcy, the Daura’s director, this year’s 10 senior artists are some of the most prolific and gifted she’s ever seen. “I’m excited about every single piece,” she said. “This is one of the best groups I’ve seen. They have absolutely gone above and beyond.”
Although a reception will take place on Tuesday, May 6, the exhibition’s opening day is still fluid. The reason: For the first time in the exhibition’s history, the students are installing their own work.
This is quite an undertaking, Marcy said, but it will provide the students with vital knowledge for their careers that most artists have to figure out on their own. “I wish someone had given me this experience [in college] because even in grad school, no one taught me these things.”
The exhibition must have a narrative flow, she explained, so that one piece of art seamlessly blends into the next. Artists must contend with issues of aesthetics, thematic elements, and more practical concerns, such as whether a piece will fit on the wall next to other pieces.
Marcy compared it to solving a puzzle, and said it’s difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate the amount of work that goes into installing an exhibition.
Two of the students, Riley Winefordner and Lacey Gardner, are double majors. As such, they will be presenting two projects instead of one.
Four of the students are graphic design majors, and most have done internships through the University.
Art Professor Ursula Bryant, who teaches graphic design, is equally impressed with what her students have achieved. “I am one proud professor and look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of these amazing students,” she said.
“The talent and variety in the show represents a year of hard work and dedication. All of the art faculty have been able to mentor this group of students and it has been thrilling to celebrate their success.”
The reception on May 6 will be held from 3-5 p.m. Refreshments will be served, admission is free, and the public is invited.
The following students will be exhibiting their work:
Lacey Garner — Art therapy and studio art major
Laura Basko — Graphic design major
Lily Beth Norris — Studio art major
Riley Winefordner — Studio art and graphic design major
Jordan Farmer — Graphic design major
Maren Howard — Graphic design major
Hannah Jeffreys — Studio art major
Abigail Monteclaro — Studio art major
Drew Gibson — Graphic design major
Rebecca Terry — Graphic design major
